Locality Pay geographic areas

[sandiferhands (old)]

The Locality Pay chart for ALJs contains descriptions of approximate geographic areas, using the names of cities and towns that do not have an SSA office, or any other agency office that would use an ALJ to the best of my knowledge.

What is the significance of the geographic descriptions? How is it determined whether you qualify for Locality Pay or the "everywhere else" rate? Is it where your hearings office is? Where your permanent residence is? Where you keep an apartment near your hearing office? Other?

[futuressaalj]

Sandiferhands, it is your work location. So if you work in DC you will get their rate--even if you commute from PA or some nearby state.

[leo68]

Location is the determining factor. I am a federal employee. The geographic areas are the same for all federal employees regardless of job. The locality pay is simply an adjustment for the higher cost of living in some areas. That is why the locality pay for places in CA, HI, and cities like Boston will be higher than what they call "rest of US" where the cost of living is ostensibly lower. Its the government's attempt to provide the same or a similar lifestyle to all its employees who perform the same job at the same pay grade. Though the base salary for all AL-3s will be the same, the locality pay is intended to allow an ALJ in LA to live in the same type of house that an ALJ in Nashville can afford. Does it work? No sir, it does not, but I appreciate the effort.